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The Wigilia is the traditional Christmas Eve supper of Poland. This is a meatless meal for it is a fast day [Editor's Note: This day was formerly a fast day. Fasting is no longer required.--JGM]. The number of the courses is fixed at seven, nine, or eleven. It is considered unlucky to have an odd number of persons at table, and relatives are invited, especially those who have no family of their own.

The soups are three in number, and always include Barszcz (a beet soup). There are three fish dishes — whole pike or carp, fish puffs, and salt herring; three accompanying dishes — homemade noodles with poppy seeds, red cabbage with mushrooms, and cheese Pierogi (dumplings).

DIRECTIONS

Quarter the cabbage and cook in salted water for fifteen minutes. Drain, cool, and chop fine. Sauté onion in butter, add chopped mushrooms, and sauté for five minutes. Add chopped cabbage and continue to cook until flavors are blended. Add sour cream and cool.